I keep reading horrifying stories of tragedy and loss at the hands of fentanyl. It happened again. “CSI Miami” actor Evan Ellingson died of an accidental overdose in early November. It’s the second time his family had to bury a child after an opioid tragedy. I’m left to think that overdose-reversing nasal spray Narcan is the new CPR — giving America the power to save lives.
It’s one thing for emergency responders to know how to use Narcan or the generic naloxone, but now, we all have access to it. So, who knows how to use it? My guess is not many people. After all, if you don’t use drugs or know anyone who does, maybe you think, “I don’t need to know.” But the harsh reality is overdoses are the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. and the fourth-leading cause of death overall in the country.
If you get on public transportation, walk through a store or go to a concert venue, there’s a chance you might witness someone going through an overdose. You might be the person who saves a life and gives someone a second chance, but only if you know how to use the drug that can reverse the overdose.
This situation is all too reminiscent of the NFL game early this year in which Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest on the field and several professionals leapt into action to save his life with CPR. The stark visual sparked a national conversation about the importance of learning a skill — in this case, CPR — to save someone’s life. The American Heart Association said that in the days following that event, its website saw a 620% increase in views of pages on hands-only CPR and a 113% increase in views of its CPR course catalog.
I’m a pharmacist and passionate advocate for ending the opioid crisis, and I want Americans to wake up and learn their next lifesaving skill: administering Narcan.
* Step one is knowing when an overdose is happening. There’s no flashing neon sign over someone’s head saying, “I’m overdosing.”
* Step two is knowing where to get Narcan (more on that below).
* Step three is knowing how to actually use it. As of right now, chances are, even if you’re holding Narcan in your hands, you’re not going to know what to do, nor will you be calm-headed enough to carefully read the instructions on the box and move quickly in the moment. Time is of the essence, and every second matters.
March 29 was a watershed day for American public health. The Food and Drug Administration approved Narcan for over-the-counter sale. President Joe Biden commended this decision on social media, and I did the very same. History will pronounce it one of the FDA’s most important public health decisions.
For more than 20 years, we’ve been reeling from the impact of the opioid epidemic — the worst outcome of which is death by overdose. From 1999 to 2021, nearly 645,000 Americans died from an opioid overdose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s the result of the frightening rise of fentanyl coursing through society.
The latest statistics tell us more than 80,000 people died from opioid overdoses last year. Fentanyl ravaged more than 67,000 families. Enough. This must change.
We can chart a new course. It will take a community effort: the American community. Fortunately, the FDA gave us the opportunity of expanded access to one of the best tools we have: Narcan. It quickly reverses the effects of opioids. Then we can support the victim’s breathing, stabilize the person and later have the all-important conversation about getting help in the form of treatment and recovery. When you see Narcan work, you realize the power you have to give someone a second chance.
But we must first set ourselves up for success, and that begins with being able to buy this quickly and at a reasonable price. If you witness an overdose, you need to have one or two doses ready to go. If you don’t have any doses, you should be able to run into the nearest store or gas station and buy a two-dose pack. In either case, you should be able to buy it for a reasonable price. Currently, Narcan is available over-the-counter for $44.99. That may not be enough to tip the scales. Policymakers need to lower the price.
For those who might be afraid of doing something wrong in an emergency, Narcan can’t hurt someone if they’re not overdosing. The FDA cited this as a strong reason for OTC approval. Not to mention, many states have good Samaritan laws that shield nobly intentioned citizens from liability when they try to help save a life. Don’t be afraid. This is the ultimate team effort.
This movement has to spread. It’s easy to teach someone how to use it, and it’s easy to learn how to give it effectively. In October, we handed out Narcan and taught the public how to administer it as we hosted the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day at Northwestern Medicine. Many people were skeptical, but they left me confident they could give someone a second chance.
I told everyone I saw that chilly Saturday, “Give me 90 seconds, and I’ll teach you to save a life in less than 30.” I delivered on that promise, and I’m hoping America follows my important lead.
If it happens, we’ll save countless lives and help chart a new course when it comes to public health and the opioid epidemic.
If you or a loved one struggle with drug addiction, help is available by calling 1-800-662-HELP.
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Sterling Elliott, Pharm.D., BCMTMS, is a clinical pharmacist in Chicago and an assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. He works extensively in pain management and harm reduction in the setting of opioids.
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